- Rónán MacNamara
- Fri, Apr 28 2023
Rónán MacNamara reports from UCD Bowl
UCD gave their Premier Division survival hopes a shot in the arm as Jake Doyle came off the bench to score an 18th birthday goal and give the Students a precious share of the spoils against league leaders Bohemians.
Doyle cancelled out Jonathan Afolabi’s second half strike as Andy Myler’s charges punished a lethargic Bohs side and claimed a deserved point.
It’s now four points in two games for the Belfield side as they moved to within three points of Cork City in the relegation playoff spot while Bohemians saw their lead at the top trimmed to just three points to Derry City and four to Shamrock Rovers (who they play in Tallaght next Friday).
The Gypsies offered up a false promise in the first half as a quick and lively start fizzled out into a turgid first half offering.
UCD stopper Kian Moore produced two fine early saves to deny Dean Williams and John O’Sullivan but from there he was a mere spectator as the Bohemians midfield struggled to break down a stubborn yet well drilled Belfield defence.
Danu Kinsella Bishop was perhaps fortunate to escape a second yellow. Having been cautioned for a late challenge on James Talbot, he followed through on Adam McDonnell in the box, but he had no idea the Bohs skipper was there.
The Bohs team, staff and crowd were left furious with referee Kevin O’Sullivan at the interval but that only masked their disappointment over a flat and ponderous opening 45.
Brendan Barr almost put the cat amongst the pigeons when he beat Paddy Kirk and drove into the box. Unfortunately for the hosts, his effort was smothered by the Bohemians defence.
Declan Devine made a double change at the break with club captain Keith Buckly coming on along with Afolabi who went to partner Williams up front and they combined for the opener in the 53rd minute.
Dylan Connolly fashioned the opportunity with a blistering run and cross and Williams deftly laid it off for his strike partner to power home from close range.
Former Celtic striker Afolabi should have put the game to bed after 66 minutes as he ran on to a clever through ball from Buckley, but his effort was easily gathered by Moore.
Bohemians were comfortable from there however, although Connolly will be fuming he failed to pick out either Afolabi or Williams in the area after a poor cross from the end line.
UCD drew seven blanks heading into the game this evening and they rarely looked like threatening the goal of Talbot until late on.
Bohs were booed off a sandy UCD Bowl pitch thirteen months ago and the ghost of their past came back to haunt them as Doyle grasped a potentially priceless point on the night.
Having spurned a glorious chance moments earlier after rolling Kacper Radkowski, the 18-year-old was afforded a second bite of the cherry in the 89th minute and he made no mistake with a neat touch and finish to silence the packed away crowd.
UCD: Kian Moore; Brendan Barr, Jesse Dempsey, Mark Dignam (Michael Gallagher 41), Adam Wells; Sami Clarke (Jake Doyle 60), Donal Higgins (Divine Izekor 76), Jack Keaney, Daniel Norris; Danu Kinsella Bishop (Ciaran Behan 46), Alex Nolan.
Subs not used: Lorcan Healy, Ryan Bowden, Luke O'Regan, Daniel Babb, Harry O'Connor.
Booked: Danu Kinsella Bishop (23), Jake Doyle (85).
Bohemians: James Talbot; Grant Horton, Patrick Kirk, Krystian Nowak, Kacper Radkowski; Adam McDonnell (James Clarke 61), James McManus (Keith Buckley 46), John O'Sullivan (Jonathan Afolabi 46); Dylan Connolly, Declan McDaid (Kris Twardek 61), Dean Williams.
Subs not used: Luke Dennison, Drew Baker, Daniel McGrath, Jay Benn, Chris Lotefa.
Booked: Kacper Radkowski (18).
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan
Attendance: 1,500
extratime.com Player of the Match: Kian Moore (UCD)
